Once the text of 1 Thessalonians has been studied and analysed (see previous articles on biblicalculture.com), we are in a position to accurately summarise the entire letter. There are four key aspects to the summary:
- The occasion that gave rise to the letter.
- The purpose for which the letter was written.
- The main point of the letter.
- An outline that summarises the content of the letter.
Determining the occasion, purpose, and main point of the letter may be relatively easy or difficult depending on the letter. However, if one takes time to dwell on the letter as a whole and how each section is connected, the occasion, purpose, and main point should become clear. Further, it quite possible that the occasion, purpose, and main point are closely related, but this is not always so. Feel free to click on the hyperlinks (above) to the section you most desire to read.
The Occasion that Gave Rise to the Writing of 1 Thessalonians
It should first be noted that there is no explicit statement as to the occasion that gave rise to the writing of 1 Thessalonians. However, based on what the apostles wrote within the letter, we can be fairly sure that the occasion that gave rise to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy writing 1 Thessalonians was their inability to visit the Thessalonians (1 Thess 2:17–3:11).
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy put great stress on their desire to visit and see the Thessalonians face-to-face, but Satan thwarted their plans to do so (2:17–18). In response to their desire, they sent Timothy to the Thessalonians who brought back to the apostles a good report of their faith (3:1–6). However, the apostles are clear that they still desire to see the Thessalonians face-to-face (3:10–11). Thus, it is logical that the occasion that gave rise to the writing of 1 Thessalonians was the apostles’ inability to visit the Thessalonians and their desire to remain in contact with them.
The Purpose for Which 1 Thessalonians was Written
Like the occasion of 1 Thessalonians, there is no explicit statement as to the purpose of the letter. However, the content and language of the letter make it reasonably certain that 1 Thessalonians was written for the purpose of encouraging the Thessalonians to continue living lives that please the Lord.
There are two major pieces of evidence that suggest the purpose of the letter is to encourage the Thessalonians to continue living lives that please the Lord.
- The purpose of the letter is most likely the same as the purpose of the apostles’ intended visit since the letter was sent in lieu of visiting the Thessalonians. The apostles desired to visit the Thessalonians face to face so that they could continue developing the Thessalonians’ faith until it reaches completion or perfection (1 Thess 3:10). Thus, it reasons that the letter’s purpose is also to further the development of the Thessalonians’ faith.
- The paraenetic (instruction) section of the letter (4:1–5:27) begins with the command to continue living lives that please God, suggesting this is the purpose of the letter: “Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more” (1 Thess 4:1).
Further evidence that the purpose of the letter is to encourage the Thessalonians to continue living lives that please the Lord is the language found throughout the letter.
- Encouraging/exhorting the Thessalonians to keep doing what they have been doing. There are three key passages where the apostles encourage the Thessalonians to continue doing what they have been doing (4:1, 10; 5:11). It is also important to note that the verb “urge” in 4:1 and 4:10 is the same verb elsewhere translated “encourage” in 1 Thessalonians (see 4:18; 5:11; and the chapter 14 of this study).
- Reminding the Thessalonians of what they know. Throughout the letter of 1 Thessalonians the apostles remind the Thessalonians of what “you know” and “we know” (see chapter 14 of this study for a summary of this major theme). Reminding the Thessalonians of what they “know” is a rhetorical devise that encourages the Thessalonians to continue in what they “know.” A key passage that highlights this concept is 2:1–12, where the verb “to know” is used four times (v 1, 2, 5, 11). In verses 11–12, the apostles remind the Thessalonians that “you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”
- Demonstrating that the Thessalonians’ faithfulness encourages the apostles. The apostles spend a fair amount of space in the letter recounting the faithfulness of the Thessalonians (1:2–10; 2:13–3:10). Recounting the Thessalonians’ faithfulness and the encouragement that it brings to the apostles (3:6–10) is another rhetorical device that encourages the Thessalonians to continue being faithful and living a life that pleases the Lord.
The Main Point of 1 Thessalonians
The main point of 1 Thessalonians is: continue living a life that pleases the Lord. The main point is derived from the purpose of the letter. If the purpose of the letter is to encourage the Thessalonians to continue living lives that please the Lord, then it reasons that this is the main point of the letter.
Further evidence that the main point of 1 Thessalonians is continue living a life that pleases the Lord are the exhortations that command the Thessalonians to do so, most notably the first exhortation of the paraenetic section: “Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more” (1 Thess 4:1; cf. 4:9–10; 5:11). To live a life that pleases God is also the original message of the apostles to the Thessalonians as recounted in 2:11–12: “For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”
An Outline of 1 Thessalonians
The following is my own outline of 1 Thessalonians. It is based on my own study of the letter, which can be found (in part) in the articles on biblicalculture.com. For a more detailed outline of each passage, the the article on that passage on biblicalculture.com.
I. Letter Introduction (1:1)
II. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy . . .
A. Always give thanks to God for the Thessalonians (1:2–10)
1. When they pray
2. Because they remember the Thessalonians’ work, labour, and perseverance
3. Because they know God elected the Thessalonians
B. Came to the Thessalonians (2:1–12)
1. With a worthwhile purpose
2. With a trustworthy message
3. For the Thessalonians’ benefit
C. Constantly give thanks to God for the Thessalonians (2:13–16)
1. Because they did not receive the word from the apostles as the word of men
2. Because they received the word from the apostles as the word of God
D. Made every effort to see the Thessalonians in person, but sent Timothy to them when they
were unable to visit (2:17–3:10)
E. Request two things from God and Jesus (3:11–13)
1. To see the Thessalonians face-to-face
2. To cause the Thessalonians to increase and abound in love for all people for the
purpose of having their hearts established as blameless
F. Urge the Thessalonians to continue living lives that please God (4:1–12)
G. Do not want the Thessalonians to be ignorant about Christians who have died (4:13–18)
1. For the purpose that the Thessalonians do not grieve like people who have no hope
2. Because God will bring with Jesus those who are asleep “in Jesus” before
Christians who are alive
H. Remind the Thessalonians that the day of the Lord is coming like a thief in the night and
that the Thessalonians are not in darkness (5:1–11)
I. Ask and urge the Thessalonians to adhere to a list of seventeen commands that range from
the way to treat Christian leaders, to the way to treat faltering fellow Christians, to the way
to live one’s life, even how to respond to God’s work within the Christian community
(5:12–22)
III. Letter Conclusion: Final Exhortations and Benediction (5:23–28)
The Significance of the Purpose and Main Point of 1 Thessalonians
The purpose of the letter informs the reader how to use the letter. If the purpose of the letter is to encourage the Thessalonians to continue living lives that please the Lord, then 1 Thessalonians should be used for this purpose by modern believers. Modern believers and churches should use 1 Thessalonians to encourage one another to continue living lives that please the Lord. The letter of 1 Thessalonians is especially important for pastors who are shepherding a mature flock. Often, pastors feel the necessity of preaching and teaching something new. However, 1 Thessalonians informs us that (a) frequent reminders of what we already know and (b) constant encouragement to continue in what we are already doing is a necessity. 1 Thessalonians gives the church a blueprint on how to continue motivating mature Christians in the faith.
The main point of the letter ensures that every passage is interpreted within its correct context with the correct meaning. Specifically, knowing the main point of 1 Thessalonians means every passage is meant to lead toward living a life that pleases God. For example, the eschatological portion of the letter (1 Thess 4:13–5:11) was written to lead the Thessalonians, and modern believers, to continue living lives that please God by ensuring believers do not grieve like nonbelievers.
